In this final post on workplace tips, I will discuss how to build alliances, ask for a raise and what to do if you are fired.
How To Build Alliances
When you were in graduate school, the requirements for doing well in your courses were laid out for you in detail. Criteria for success were, for the most part, concrete, specific and objective. This is not necessarily true in the workplace, where office politics can affect not only your job performance but also your well-being. The wrong thing said to the wrong person can not only make work feel uncomfortable, it can negatively impact your career. This is why it is important to not only establish good working relationships with everyone, but also to find a person or two that has been at the agency a long time and can give you an insider’s perspective.
Start by going out to lunch or coffee with the co-workers you feel a connection to. As you get to know them, ask them what they wish they would have known when they first started working there.
How To Ask For a Raise
Once you have been at your agency for at least a year, consider asking for a raise, particularly if your caseload has increased and/or you have additional duties. Start by finding out what others are getting paid for similar positions and levels of experience. You can ask your co-workers, but be careful to keep the questions very general, as salaries are considered private information. You can also revisit glassdoor.com for information on similar positions.
Then, put together a bullet list of your contributions, and decide the amount of raise that you deserve. Role play asking for your raise with a trusted friend.
What To Do If You Are Fired
Job security is not a guarantee, so its entirely possible that you might be fired. First of all, unless presented with evidence otherwise, don’t assume it’s due to poor performance. There are many reasons agencies fire counselors, and not all of them are based on the counselor’s performance. It’s unfair but it’s reality. Remember this isn’t like graduate school, where you knew that if you did the work, you would get an “A” in the class. Unlike graduate school, there are sometimes hidden agendas. Know that you are not alone, and it may not be your fault. Then, go back and re-read this series of posts to remind yourself how to find a position!
Yours in the Joy of Knowledge,
Dr. Barb LoFrisco
*Adapted from: “Where Higher Ed Falls Short” by Melanie Curtin, Tampa Bay Times, Sunday December 11, 2016
